Peter Odemwingie has had more success than his English counterparts at the World Cup (Photo: AP Photo)

For most fans of England, the Fifa World Cup has ended somewhat dramatically and unexpectedly with the elimination of the national team without qualifying from the group stages.

Naturally, that means a mass-media inquiry into what went wrong, what could have been different and what needs to be changed.

The recent commission by the FA made it clear who they believe to be at fault, whilst suggestions of the content of upcoming reports seems to support the original.

Most fans of the Premier League and English football will already be well aware that the blame for the England national team failure has been laid firmly at the feet of the top 20 clubs in England. Recommendations have included the introduction of ‘B’ teams and, more recently, forcing clubs to field no fewer than three ‘home grown’ players from kick-off.

Is that really going to make any difference, though?

English players are drawing premium transfer fees at the moment – with no just cause. They aren’t the best in the world – proven over the past week and a half. They aren’t the most skilful, they don’t have the best goal-scoring ratio and, to be quite frank, are some of the worse team players I’ve seen over the past few days.

That might seem a harsh assessment, but it’s the truth.

Stoke have just signed several players – all for free. Including the players signing officially for us on July 1 2014, going back 12-months we have signed 10 players – for barely £7million. Of those, only three are home-grown or British; the only players to draw a fee are Erik Pieters and Marko Arnautovic.

The reason why we as a club are looking abroad (and at free transfers) is simply because we can’t afford to compete with ‘the top five’, who seem intent on stockpiling up-and-coming talent and leaving them to waste on the sidelines.

If anyone can justify why Liverpool, for example, have just spent £4million on Rickie Lambert, I’d love to know. And, whilst you’re thinking about it, what justifies Manchester United spending more than £30million (rumoured, at present) on Luke Shaw?

The money associated with English players is ludicrous, and a massive influencing factor of the failings of the English national team. Too much salary at too early an age. Too much being spent on transfer fees and the associated pressures that go with it.

It’s not the only factor. There are others.

But I doubt Stoke will be the only club shopping abroad this summer for their cut-price deals.